§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will make a statement on the environmental impact of the recent three-month long fire at a tyre dump in Powys.
§ Mr. GristThe company is seeking to bring the fire under control and the position is being monitored by Radnor district council which is under a duty to supervise the waste disposal sites it licenses under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.
When Her Majesty's inspectorate of pollution last visited the site there was no emission of smoke and only a slight localised odour problem. Subject to a satisfactory surface seal being maintained, the situation will be contained.
I am advised that monitoring at the public water supply intake 85 km downstream by the National Rivers Authority has shown that phenol concentrations are within drinking water standards. Although there is some pollution of streams in the immediate vicinity of the fire, action on site has prevented the spread of pollution downstream.